Pfizer links with NovaMedica to produce and market drugs in Russia

US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and NovaMedica, a company established by Russian high-technology investment fund Rusnano and American venture health care fund Domain Associates in 2012, have entered into an agreement to cooperate, signalling the development of a new partnership, to bring important medicines to the Russian market.

Through this partnership, as a first step, Pfizer proposes to invest in NovaMedica’s construction of a new manufacturing plant in the Vorsino industrial park, Kaluga region of Russia and license the technology for production of more than 30 medicinal products from its portfolio to the Russian partner.

The portfolio of high-tech medicinal products that the parties plan to produce at the new plant includes essential drugs for the treatment of severe bacterial and fungal infections, inflammatory diseases, cancer, as well as for use in anesthesiology (more than 30 International Nonproprietary Names, INNs). Most of these INNs are on the essential drugs list (EDL) and several are also in federal reimbursement programs Population Drug Coverage (ONLS) and in 7 Nosologies (7N).

Medicines production set to start in 2020

The design, development and construction of the manufacturing plant are scheduled to begin in 2016, with the start of medicine production planned for 2020. The new plant is intended to be built in accordance with Russian and international standards, which will enable NovaMedica to manufacture for export markets. The production facilities will have potential for expansion, if new projects emerge.

“Around the world, Pfizer works to ensure patients' access to high-quality innovative and essential treatments. We contribute broadly to the modernization of the Russian pharmaceutical industry, education in medicine and high quality manufacturing and bringing innovation in the field of medicine,” said Petra Danielsohn-Weil, regional president of Europe, Pfizer Essential Health Business.

She continued: “Having operated in Russia since 1992, building partnerships have become a key pillar to our ‘More Than’ investment strategy which aims to improve the quality of care for patients in Russia. The collaboration between Pfizer and NovaMedica is a good example of working together simultaneously to localize a diverse portfolio of products that are essential to patients, and in high demand by health care professionals. We are proud to partner with NovaMedica, a new pharmaceutical company in Russia, to achieve this milestone.”  

Source